Abstract: The head of a hammock is maintained in a spread condition and attached to its support ropes by an extruded elongate member having open and closed longitudinal slots within which the ends of the hammock support ropes and the corresponding head of the hammock are respectively secured, with the transverse profile of each slot being of a substantially C-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A connector element (10) adapted to receive one line (15) at one end (12) thereof and another line (17) at the opposing end (14) thereof. The one line (15) is permanently secured in the connector (10) at the one end (12). The connector (10) includes a slot (32) in its side, the slot (32) extending from the opposing end (14) to an elliptical opening (33), which is larger than the width of the slot (32). Both the slot (32) and the opening (33) open onto the hollow interior of the connector (10). A retainer element (37) is connected to the end of line (17). The hollow interior of the connector (10) is configured to hold the retainer element (37) within the connector (10), while permitting the line (17) to extend out through the end (14) of the connector. The slot (32) is large enough to accommodate the line ( 17) while the opening (33) is large enough to accommodate the retainer element (37).

Abstract: A tandem towing device for towing a pair of water skiers with one boat has a hook for attachment to a boat, a plate rotatably mounted on the shaft of the attachment hook, and a pair of diametrically opposed holes in the plate for attachment to two towlines. The holes receive the towlines through corresponding channels disposed about the perimeter of the plate. The towlines are retained in the holes in the circular plate by sleeves which slide about the towlines and into the holes. When the towlines are put in tension by normal use, the plate rotates to eliminate any tangling of the lines which may exist.

Abstract: A knot latch device for footwear is disclosed having structure readily adapted to receive a shoelace. The shoelace is then bowed about a portion of the knot latch device, and the knot latch device then folded about the bowed lace. The knot latch device includes a plurality of mating hook and loop elements to fasten the device securely about the bowed lace. Structure is included to mask at least a portion of the knot latch device when the device is secured about a bowed lace of the footwear.

Abstract: A fastening mechanism for the bootlace of a boot, which includes two upright and serrated side edges provided on either side of a cut-open portion of a boot to form teeth and notches all along the length of the edges, each tooth having an eyelet and projecting upward in the same direction of a lace running diagonally from one eyelet to the next-upper one on the other side to effect a better delivery of power of pull on eyelets for even tightening.

Abstract: Mounting structure is provided for the throttle control cable of an internal combustion engine. The mounting structure connects the throttle control cable to a gas pedal actuated lever. The mounting structure includes a retainer for securement to the control cable and an elastomeric grommet for receiving the retainer. This structure results in isolating the gas pedal and associated lever from vibrations of the throttle control cable caused by its connection to the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A tying device for shoelaces which can be attached to the shoe and serves to maintain tied laces in their disposition. The device includes a body portion which remains exposed for viewing by the public and an eyelet member which receives the laces for securing the device to the shoe. An elastic band is integrated with the body portion and eyelet member for stretching over a shoelace knot to lock the device in place and prevent the shoelaces from becoming untied.

Abstract: A device that can form and hold an eye in a line without the use of a knot that has an elongated body with passageways extending between its longitudinal ends. Lateral openings and access holes allow the line to escape the passageways between both ends. The line passes into a passageway of the elongated body at a first longitudinal end, passes out of the passageway through a lateral opening, passes back into the passageway through an adjacent lateral opening and passes out of the passageway through a second longitudinal end. After forming an eye, the line re-enters the elongated body at the second end and passes through another passageway exiting through an opening at the first end. A section of line departs from the passageway through another lateral opening. The line is further secured to the elongated body by first forming a loop and then passing the line between the elongated body and the departing section of line. The line is passed over the body and then passed between the body and the loop.

Abstract: A buckle of the type used to connect belts used for tying down cargo in vehicles. The buckle is formed of flat plate stock and has a structure adapted to withstand high compressive forces such as are applied to it when it is run over by loaded vehicles. The buckle operates on an overcenter principle, so that once it is locked further tension on the belts tends to keep the buckle locked. In using the buckle, initially the free end of one belt is threaded through the buckle and pulled to take up slack. The free end is jammed between the standing end of the belt and a portion of the buckle, preventing slippage. Next, the handle of the buckle is rotated approximately 180 degrees, which causes the standing part of the belt to be wound around the buckle, thereby placing the belt in tension. Towards the end of its throw, the handle of the buckle passes to an overcenter position, in which further tension in the belt locks the buckle more securely.

Abstract: A versatile exercise device designed particularly for running in place, against the restraining force of an anchored belt, includes a single piece of rope, one end of which is arranged for anchorage to a fixed object, and the other end of which is formed into an adjustable belt by a simple and convenient loop forming device.

Abstract: A water ski tow assembly consisting of a semi-circular rail connected at its ends to a boat and extending rearwardly therefrom at variable angles of inclination from horizontal, a rolling carriage movable along the track, and a special rope hitch mounted on the carriage, the hitch permitting the attachment thereto of a plurality of tow ropes, and having provisions permitting quick attachment and detachment of ropes, locking the ropes against accidental detachment, and preventing entanglement of the ropes. The rail encircles the motor of the boat to prevent the ropes from becoming fouled in the propellor, protects the propellor from growing brush in the water, and insures the most desirable line of pull of the ropes relative to the boat.

Abstract: This method of covering a joint of two rope ends includes use of a joint cover constructed of plastic tubing, included heat shrinkable plastic tubing, with methods to form a conical wedge shaped cover. The joint cover functions to help provide a smooth movement of the joint around obstacles. Also included is the use of "selected area shrinkage.

Abstract: A device for mooring marine units when attached to a wharf or which serves as a cleat when mounted on the deck of a boat. The device comprises a hollow yieldable plastic or preferably metallic tubular anchor element with open ends at opposite ends of a bore defined by the walls of the element, which when secured in upright position serves as a chimney for circulating air therethrough to maintain the rope anchor element relatively cool.Certain walls of the tube are provided with keyhole shape slots which are open at the ends of the tube for admitting a rope therethrough which is slid endwise of the slot to the enlarged circular terminal inner end. To prevent its withdrawal, the rope has a knot larger than the slot. In the plastic tube the edges of the slots can be spread so that the rope will pass tightly therethrough and the resilient nature of the plastic acts to yieldingly resist tugging as the boat rides up and down.

Abstract: There is disclosed a garment bag holder including a rigid grasp handle formed centrally with an elongated through aperture which also projects toward one end thereof to form an upwardly opening hook-receiving slot. A transverse pivot pin is mounted centrally in the handle projecting through the aperture and has one end of a suspension hook looped thereabout to form a pivot eye encircling the pin and project therefrom to form a shank terminating in a looped back hook which may be pivoted between a retracted position disposed longitudinally in such slot aperture and an operative position projecting transversely from the handle. A slip noose is connected with the hook pivot eye for receipt of coat hanger hooks projecting from a garment bag and arranged to tighten thereon under the weight of garments on such coat hangers.

Abstract: In a die casting technique, a first element is die cast with a cavity formed by a core, the first element having an interlocking surface such as a projection or shaped aperture. The core is then removed, and a second element is cast to extend into alignment with the cavity, employing the interlocking surface of the first element for a portion of the die in the formation of the second element. The second element is thereby interlocked with the first element to form a unitary article. The unitary article may be in the form of a hanger adaptable for use in extending a cord for suspending an object. The hanger has a body portion with a hole extending therethrough, one end of the hole being enlarged for receiving and holding therein the knot of a cord. A loop shaped portion of the hanger extends over the enlarged end of the hole. The loop shaped portion is rigidly affixed to the body portion, and serves as a hook.

Abstract: A two-piece assembly rack for holding rifles, shotguns and the like on the inside of a vehicle door. A rotatable butt rest supports the stock end of the gun and a rotatable arm having an elastic fastening means at the outer end fixedly holds the gun barrel in a set position on the vehicle door.